06/09/2015 Regular Meeting
FRIEND CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES-REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 9, 2015, 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Vossler called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at the City Hall. Advanced notice of the meeting was given by publication in The Sentinel, the appointed method for giving advanced notice. All proceedings shown were taken while the meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
Mayor James Vossler presided and City Clerk Debbie Gilmer recorded the proceedings. The following Councilmembers were present: Harlan Schrock, Shane Stutzman, Phyllis Ryan, Stan Krause. A quorum being present and the meeting duly convened, the following proceedings were had and done.
As required by the Nebraska Open Meetings Act, Mayor Vossler announced that a copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act has been posted on the south door of the City Hall meeting room for all in attendance to review.
Mayor Vossler announced that public comments would be accepted at this time. Marvin Kraus was in attendance and reported to the Mayor and Council that he was waiting for documents relating to the completion of an environmental review for the Friend Housing Authority. After discussion, council had no objections and approved of the Mayor signing, upon receipt, any documents necessary for the completion of the environmental review for the Friend Housing Authority
Motioned by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve the Minutes of the May 4, 2015 regular meeting, and the May 2015 Treasurer's Report as presented and file same. On roll call voting aye to approve the May 4, 2015 regular meeting minutes, and the May 2015 Treasurer's Report, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to approve the WMH financial statements submitted for the month of April 2015. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Stutzman, seconded by Schrock, that claims and payroll be approved by the claims committee, and be allowed, and the Clerk instructed to issue warrants on the respective funds to pay same. On roll call voting aye, Ryan, Krause, Schrock, Stutzman. Nays none. Motion carried.
The claims approved were as follows: May Payroll, 19,168.61; Ameritas, 2851.98; EFTPS, 6889.09; NCSPC, 725.02; BVH, su 15.95; Baker & Taylor, su 452.05; Beaver Hardware, su 232.70; Black Hills Energy, fe 197.75; Blue Blossom, su 35.00; Bonsall Pool, su 244.70; Central States, su 16,357.11; Keith Clouse, fe 250.00; CRA, fe 22,466.43; Crete Lumber, su 495.67; Crete True Value, su 91.27; D&D Comm, su 2379.00; Danko, su 796.30; Diode, se 50.45; Discover, su 2961.79; Drakes, se 599.00; EMS, se 107.68; Eakes, su 40.28; Eletech, su 287.79; Farmers Coop, se & su 1184.44; Fireguard, su 1089.50; First State Ins, fe 2875.00; Friend Ins, fe 200.00; FPS, fe 25.00; Friend Sentinel, fe 30.00; FVFD, fe 3000.00; Gene’s Electric, se 10,130.41; Paul & Gail Gropp, fe 150.00; Johnsons, su 51.19; Jr. Library Guild, su 89.64; Lincoln Winnelson, su 474.72; Rosemarie Markus, fe 50.00; Menards, su 1741.27; Midwest Labs, se 155.30; NDEQ, fe 7165.24; NE Dept of Rev, SWH 876.48, ST 5579.32; NE Life, su 24.00; NE Public Health, se 30.00; NE Public Power, se 51,635.38; NEMSA, fe 410.00; Norris Public Power, se 5201.74; One Call, se 1.35; Pella, su 51,534.97; Postmaster, fe 195.16; Principal Mutual, fe 95.29; Ross Repair, su 20.00; Sargent Drilling, se 900.00; Seward Independent, fe 307.92; Shell Fleet Plus, su 216.12; Marvin Slepicka, fe 1000.00; TV Svc, su 179.99; The Depository Trust, 14,264.50; Tim Gill Ins, re 18.61; UMB, 3109.50; Verizon Wireless, se 615.03; Waste Connections, se 284.04; Windstream, se 899.84; Young’s, se 255.64. Total Claims Approved $243,762.21.
Patrick Gates, Utilities Superintendent, gave his report. Items he reported on included the following.
- The city wells were recently tested. Results indicated that the shop well, ballfield well and water well are in excellent condition. The well at the pond is in need of cleaning.
- The swimming pool opened as scheduled.
- The NDOR contacted Mr. Gates to let him know that they were going to be resurfacing a portion of Highway 6.
Stan Krause requested that Patrick Gates check into getting the cracked window fixed in the meeting room. Krause also asked Patrick to work on getting the property belonging to the FVFD west of City Hall shredded.
Mark McFarland reported to the Mayor and Council that Will Findlay has turned in his resignation as police officer. His last day will be June 12th.
Stan Krause reported on behalf of the Friend Volunteer Fire Department. He said they received approximately $1,400 to $1,500 at the recent fundraiser that was held to raise funds for the Fourth of July fireworks display. He also informed the Mayor and Council that the Department will no longer organize or work this event.
Jim Ryan attended the meeting to report on projects that the Community Redevelopment Authority has been working on. He said the grass has been seeded at the corner of 2nd and Maple (former Snyder apartment building). Ryan reported that dirt work has begun on the Drake/Schweitzer project on 3rd Street. Mr. Ryan also said that the CRA will be revisiting the recently adopted ordinance relating to the occupation tax imposed on businesses located within the Enhanced Employment Area. Attorney, Mike Bacon, will be attending the July City Council meeting to discuss this and address concerns relating to this matter.
Mayor Vossler reported that he has been approached by an individual requesting that any delinquent charges on a property be forgiven so that he may be able to obtain a clear title on the parcel. He intends to demolish the existing house and garage and get the property cleaned up, as this property is currently a nuisance and adjacent to his property. After discussion, Council was in agreement of allowing this, contingent upon clean-up and clearing of the property being done within 6 months of this individual gaining ownership of the property. If clean-up doesn’t occur as discussed, the delinquent charges will be his responsibility.
Mayor Vossler informed the Council that he received a request from Richard Ziegler to appoint Ruth Ziegler to the Gilbert Library Board to complete Richard’s term. Motion was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan, to approve Ruth Ziegler’s appointment to the Gilbert Library Board to complete Richard Ziegler’s term. On roll call voting aye, Stutzman, Schrock, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried.
Motion to enter into executive session for discussion of personnel was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried and executive session convened at 8:00 p.m.
Motion to reconvene regular session was made by Krause, seconded by Ryan. On roll call voting aye, Schrock, Stutzman, Ryan, Krause. Nays none. Motion carried and regular session reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
No further business to come before the City Council, motion was made by Schrock, seconded by Stutzman, to adjourn the meeting. On roll call voting aye, Krause, Ryan, Stutzman, Schrock. Nays none. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.